통신사(通信使)와의 비교를 통해 본 유구사절(琉球使節) -荻生徂徠의 <琉球聘使記>를 자료로 하여-

Abstract

This research compares Ogyū Sorai’s observations of the 1710 Ryūkūan Mission to Edo in the record Ryūkū heishi ki(琉球聘使記) with the Korean Embassy to Edo (t’ongsinsa) records in 1711 to study the Japanese perception of the Ryūkūan Mission and how it differed from that of the Korean Embassy. Although the bakufu formally let the Ryūkūan Kingdom alone as an independent country, Ogyū already perceived it as a de facto vassal state of the Satsuma Domain. Hence, Ogyū criticized the bakufu for recognizing the Ryūkū Kingdom on equal terms, but considered it to be a civilized state realizing the dignity of Ming China, as seen in the Ryūkūan Mission‘s procession with their Sinic-style robes and court music. The diplomats of the neighboring country of Joseon were of lower status than those of the Ryūkū Kingdom, but were received by high Japanese officials and enjoyed preferential treatment even in their entrance. Arai Hakuseki tried to change this when reforming the procedure for diplomatic missions, but did not do so without mediation from Joseon. The Ryūkyū and Joseon envoys were totally different in nature. The former, who deliberately acted as foreign delegates, differed from the latter who sought a low profile. However, despite their intent, the Joseon envoys stimulated Japan’s interest in things foreign and their poetry, calligraphy, and paintings were appreciated along with the court music of Ryūkū. The dual nature of the Ryūkū envoys and the interest in the foreign of the Japanese commoners were the main reasons why the nature of the Joseon envoys was misunderstood.